Roaldite

Roaldite is a rare meteorite mineral containing iron, nickel and nitrogen. Its chemical formula is (Fe,Ni)₄N.

Roaldite
General
Category	Minerals
Formula	(Fe,Ni)>4N
IMA symbol	Roa[1]
Strunz classification	1.BC.05
Dana classification	1.1.18.2
Crystal system	Cubic
Crystal class	Hextetrahedral (43m) H–M Symbol: (4 3m)
Space group	P43m (no. 215)
Unit cell	a = 3.79 Å; Z = 1
Identification
Colour	Tin-white
Crystal habit	Platelets in kamacite
Mohs scale hardness	5.5-6.5
Lustre	Metallic
Diaphaneity	Opaque
Specific gravity	7.21
Optical properties	Isotropic
References	[2][3]

It was first described in 1981 for an occurrence in the Youngedin meteorite, Avon, Western Australia. It was named after Roald Norbach Nielsen (born 1928), a Danish expert in electron microprobe. The mineral has also been reported from the Jerslev meteorite, Sjaelland, Denmark, and the Canyon Diablo meteorite of Meteor Crater in Arizona.^[2]

See also

• Glossary of meteoritics